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About to start and looking for encouragement

Posted , 7 users are following.

karen156794231
karen156794231

Hello to all - I am new to this forum, although have been on the menopause forum for some time now. I am 52 years' old and in peri-menopause which has significantly worsened my anxiety to the point where I have had several panic attacks resulting in three ER visits since February. My main issue is chronic dizziness for the last five months with no breaks. My head is heavy and I feel like there are bricks in my brain. Sometimes it feels like there is a bowl of Rice Krispies in my head. Had a normal brain MRI in September, have seen two neurologists, psychologist, psychiatrist, cardiologist, ENT, primary care, and two OB/GYNs. Have tried acupuncture (temporary help), gave up coffee, don't drink or smoke. Can not exercise any more because of the dizziness (and I was a very active person). I do have a bit of vertigo. Tried 20 mg Prozac last summer but could only last 9 days because I got so sick (dizzy, nauseau, insomnia, couldn't eat). I have been told that was too high of a dose to start out on. After this last ER visit, and because I am not getting better, I am going to try a low dose of sertraline (1/2 of the 25 mg; maybe even start at 1/4 of 25 mg). I am so scared because of how poorly I did on Prozac. I know you have to wait it out, but it was so unbearable for me I couldn't do it with the Prozac. Any advice or encouragement you may have is so very greatly appreciated. Thank you and take care.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • ZEN.
    ZEN. karen156794231

    Posted

    Hi Karen,

    Finding the right Anxiety medication can be a challenge for doctor and patient.

    Over 8 years I have been prescribed Diazepam, Prozac and Sertraline then Trazodone and now Paroxatine which seems to be slowly helping, don't expect miracles at first as the Sertraline will take a while to get into your system and also time to build up the dose until it works for you.

    Best to discuss with your Doc.

    You will be fine but be patient with the meds.

    Best wishes

    Peace 🙏

  • chris80549
    chris80549 karen156794231

    Posted

    Good Luck Karen. everyone react different. so hang in there. side effect should pass. I start 50mg now 100mg . beginning to feel improvement after 3 months.

  • wendy94366
    wendy94366 karen156794231

    Posted

    hi karen i've been post meno for 5yrs and had everything hit me had anxiety start in june this yr lightheaded being the worse went on sertraline 50mg for 13 days was really bad with it side efects unreal hthe doc put me on 3 x 10mg propranolol and 5mg 3x daily librium which does help still have heavy head feeling like i've a head cold but doctor want to try me back on sert after xmas and i'm really freaking out as i didn't like the side effects i'm at my wits end

  • karin88115
    karin88115 karen156794231

    Posted

    hi karen. Well your experience is so similar to mine. I also had 3 trips to ER and major panic. Got put on 100mg which was way too high. Caused severe side effects with one of the worst being extreme dizziness.

    So I reduced to 75 then down to 50

    That is the perfect dose for me. Absolutely no dizziness or panic or anxiety.

    It took at least 10 weeks to get to that point so its no quick fix but truly worth it.

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